Five Rising Actors to Watch Right Now

Five Rising Actors to Watch Right Now

The 2013 summer movie season has been another big one, with wall-towall movies featuring favorite big-screen stars like Robert Downey Jr., Hugh Jackman, Denzel Washington, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, and more. However, there have also been a handful of breakout stars, many of whom appeared in some of the season’s breakout indie hits, and seemed primed for a jump to the big time. Here’s five young new stars who look like they’re about to make that leap.

1. Michael B. Jordan

Without a doubt, the biggest breakout of the summer has been for Fruitvale Station star Michael B. Jordan. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Fruitvale Station, based on the tragic true story of Oscar Grant, is already being tipped as a potential best picture nominee at this year’s Academy Awards. Jordan, who started his career on HBO’s The Wire, and was recently seen in the superhero hit Chronicle, is also being mentioned as a potential best actor nominee. Whatever the case, he’s already planning to re-team with Coogler in Creed, a hot project teaming Jordan with Sylvester Stallone, who’ll be returning to his most famous role, Rocky Balboa. Jordan stars as the grandson of Rocky’s former nemesis-turned-friend, Apollo Creed, who Rocky trains as a boxer to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps.

2. Logan Lerman

Ok, so maybe Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters isn’t anyone’s idea of a breakout hit, and while this series does seem to be more than a little played out, star Logan Lerman is on the cusp of hitting his stride as an actor to watch. While Lerman’s already tried his hand at action movies (The ThreeMusketeers 3D) he’s at his best in darker, edgier indie fare. His performance in The Perks of Being AWallflower earned raves from the critics and proved to be a sleeper hit, while his part in the ensemble drama Stuck In Love has also been well-received. Lerman’s next movie is Darren Aronofsky’s Noah--with Russell Crowe in the title role--which is already one of 2014’s most eagerly awaited films.

3. Greta Gerwig

Unlike many of the others on this list, Gerwig’s been around for a while and is even something of an icon in the mumblecore movie scene. She’s had roles in mainstream fare like No Strings Attached opposite Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher, and the ill-fated Arthur reboot with Russell Brand. However, it’s been her performances in Noah Baumbach’s Greenberg, and the recent Frances Ha (cowritten by Gerwig herself) that have drawn the most attention. Many are calling Frances Ha her best role to date, and are tipping her for an Independent Spirit Award nomination.

4. Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza is already well-known on the small screen for her part on NBC’s cult comedy hit Parks & Recreation. She recently made the leap to the big screen with her movie The To-Do List. While the reception has been mixed, Plaza’s previous film, Safety Not Guaranteed, earned her a trip to the Sundance Film Festival, and was warmly received by both critics and audiences. Plaza’s not showing any signs of slowing down. In addition to her on-going part on Parks & Recreation, she’s has no less than three movies in the pipeline for 2014.

5. Miles Teller

Miles Teller’s part as the teen protagonist in The Spectacular Now has proven to be one of the breakout performances of the summer. It drew raves at Sundance, and the film’s release will be expanding throughout the month. Teller’s got at least three movies already in the can, including the eagerly awaited young-adult lit adaptation Divergent, which re-teams him with his Spectacular Now co-star Shailene Woodley. Teller’s also been on the shortlist for several high profile projects, with one recent report even linking him to the upcoming reboot of the Marvel property Fantastic Four.